Were they prompting the audiences to applaud? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dr. Thong · 05-05-2011, 09:45 PM

I know that sitcoms filmed in front of a live audience have (or had) "laugh" signs to prompt the audience to laugh, but were they turning on "applause" signs for every friggin character's entrance on the show??

I suspect they were, because I was watching a season 10 episode and Roger got applause!!

I don't think Roger was ever so popular that he would warrant such applause on his own.

The drawbacks, IMO, about shows being filmed live are the aforementioned applause and "oohs" and screams when characters kiss.

It's annoying when Fonzie enters, has something to say, but has to wait a minute until the audience calms down. Throws the rhythm and timing of a scene off, IMO.

Chad22 · 05-05-2011, 10:09 PM

I would applaud Roger.

robyrob · 05-05-2011, 10:17 PM

i'm sure they did everything they could to get the audiences as fired up as possible

it definitely is noticebale when the actors have to pause and wait for the audience to shut up, but most of the time i don't mind it that much

treky · 05-07-2011, 12:56 AM

that's partly why I stopped watching it.

lucyandethel · 05-15-2011, 12:35 AM

"Happy Days", "Laverne & Shirley" and "All in the Family" still used canned laughs even though being shot before an audience. It was believed the networks wanted more laughs for certain jokes to give the impression the live audience was hysterical with laughter (even though they probably watched the same scene shot 20 times like they do today.) I've been to sitcom tapings here in LA. The audience is usually distracted with everything going on around them so producers have to "pepper" the laughs.

YoliUSA · 05-15-2011, 09:06 PM

I'm pretty sure they used canned laughter. In some cases it is better that way; sometimes with live audience laughs you can hear people coughing, or even shouting stuff to the characters, very distracting.

Mr. Television · 05-15-2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C Doody

I would applaud Roger.

Me too. I always liked Roger. I think Ted Mcginley often gets a bum rap.

Dr. Thong · 05-18-2011, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

Me too. I always liked Roger. I think Ted Mcginley often gets a bum rap.

I'm surprised he's not replacing Charlie Sheen on Two And A Half Men.

05-05-2011, 09:45 PM	#1
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Were they prompting the audiences to applaud? I know that sitcoms filmed in front of a live audience have (or had) "laugh" signs to prompt the audience to laugh, but were they turning on "applause" signs for every friggin character's entrance on the show?? I suspect they were, because I was watching a season 10 episode and Roger got applause!! I don't think Roger was ever so popular that he would warrant such applause on his own. The drawbacks, IMO, about shows being filmed live are the aforementioned applause and "oohs" and screams when characters kiss. It's annoying when Fonzie enters, has something to say, but has to wait a minute until the audience calms down. Throws the rhythm and timing of a scene off, IMO.
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05-05-2011, 10:17 PM	#3
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,191	i'm sure they did everything they could to get the audiences as fired up as possible it definitely is noticebale when the actors have to pause and wait for the audience to shut up, but most of the time i don't mind it that much
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05-07-2011, 12:56 AM	#4
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	that's partly why I stopped watching it.
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05-15-2011, 09:06 PM	#6
YoliUSA Fan of the Classics Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 13, 2002 Location: In a galaxy far, far away... Posts: 5,290	I'm pretty sure they used canned laughter. In some cases it is better that way; sometimes with live audience laughs you can hear people coughing, or even shouting stuff to the characters, very distracting.
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05-05-2011, 10:09 PM	#2
Chad22 Captain Juke N Jive Moderator Forum Addict Join Date: Nov 23, 2002 Location: Caribou, Maine Posts: 71,661	I would applaud Roger.

05-15-2011, 12:35 AM	#5
lucyandethel Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 435	"Happy Days", "Laverne & Shirley" and "All in the Family" still used canned laughs even though being shot before an audience. It was believed the networks wanted more laughs for certain jokes to give the impression the live audience was hysterical with laughter (even though they probably watched the same scene shot 20 times like they do today.) I've been to sitcom tapings here in LA. The audience is usually distracted with everything going on around them so producers have to "pepper" the laughs.